Vogt Heads to the Desert

Former Oakland Athletics catcher Stephen Vogt has signed a one-year deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks, reported Jeff Passan of ESPN. The veteran catcher’s contract includes an option that would allow the team to bring him back for a second season. The deal pays him $3 million for the 2020 season.

Vogt spent his 2019 season with the San Francisco Giants after inking a one-year minors deal and quietly impressed, hitting .263/.314/.490 with 10 home runs in 280 plate appearances.

Phillies Stake Harrison to Minors Deal

Infielder Josh Harrison signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, reported Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

According to Heyman, Harrison was said to be weighing his options, as he had interest from as many as five teams. The utilityman ultimately decided on Philly- although Heyman notes that the New York Mets were Harrison’s second choice.

Harrison had a rough, injury-plagued 2019 season with the Detroit Tigers. Expected to hold down the fort at second base for the majority of the season, Harrison simply couldn’t stay on the field, as he suffered from both shoulder and hamstring injuries. Harrison closed out 2019 with just 36 games under his belt, batting just .175/.218/.263.

Seattle Snags Graveman

Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic reported on Tuesday that the Seattle Mariners have signed pitcher Kendall Graveman to a one-year, $1.5M deal. The right-hander’s contract will include a $3.5M club option for 2021.

Graveman spent all of 2019 in the minors with the Chicago Cubs but never took the mound, as he took the time to rehab from his Tommy John surgery that he had back in 2o18.

A’s Weighing Trades to Reduce Payroll

According to Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic, the Oakland Athletics are reportedly considering trades of infielder Jurickson Profar, reliever Blake Treinen, and catcher Josh Phegley due payroll constraints.

All three players are entering their final years of arbitration before free agency, with Treinen projected to earn $7.8M, Profar to earn $5.8M, and Phegley to earn $2.2M.

In terms of their payroll, the club anticipates it to be in the $90M range- similar to the 2019 season- and they are currently projected to be sitting at $111.2M, thus making it likely that some offloading will be done in the near future.